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February 12, 2009 - Hoax Amber Alert Text Message Reported

Contact: Sgt. Greg Jones, (517) 241-7183Agency: State Police, Department ofEAST LANSING. Officials with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) are notifying the public of a hoax Amber Alert text message currently being circulated across the country.

The hoax Amber Alert message contains the following information: “A 7-year-old girl was taken by a man driving a newer silver truck. The license plate reads 72b381. Please pass this on.” The NCMEC has confirmed there are no current Amber Alert activations containing this information.

“Incomplete and hoax Amber Alert messages forwarded in this manner ultimately result in confusion and can hamper legitimate recovery efforts,” said MSP Sergeant Greg Jones, Coordinator of the Michigan Amber Alert Plan. “To confirm the validity of an Amber Alert message, please contact your local law enforcement agency.”

In Michigan, official Amber Alert activations are distributed by the MSP to media outlets and law enforcement partners in a specific area or region. The information is then distributed to the public with a request for their assistance in locating the endangered missing child.

Official Amber Alert activations always include detailed information concerning the missing child such as a full description, last known location and contact information for the investigating agency. When the child is recovered, the MSP distributes an official cancellation message to the appropriate law enforcement agencies and media outlets.